Oh, gee...duh
Oct. 18th, 2010 10:02 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
beltaineladySometimes I wonder about myself. I've been working with dogs for years, and while I don't consider myself an expert, I thought I knew enough to be able to identify and correct behavior issues. So why did it take me so long to figure it out?
Some pit bull owners say that dog parks are bad places for pits. I disagree, preferring to allow each dog to make that decision. Navarre was not a dog park dog, so we never went except with Holly and then only if no one else was there. I knew my dog and his issues and didn't put him in situations where there could be trouble. Joker's personality is the exact opposite of Navarre's. He's overly friendly where Navarre was standoffish. They expressed their insecurities differently: Joker is a licker, always looking to reinforce that you like him. Navarre either got aggressive or cowered behind me. Joker likes other dogs, and wants to play with them; Navarre wasn't dog-friendly except for a very select group.
So, I take Joker to the dog park. Harley loves to play on the agility equipment (who knew? I thought it would be Joker who'd be more interested in an activity like that), and will run around with the other dogs until there's a tackle and then she backs off. Joker plays with anybody. And that's where the problem started. He was fine if a wrestling match started from a standing position. He was fine when he was being chased. The problem started when he was part of the pack chasing another dog. When the tackle finally happened, Joker would go after the dog when it was down.
I'd watch carefully to identify if his body language changed, but it didn't. There was no aggression, excitement, but not aggression. It didn't matter if the chasee was a smaller or larger dog, he'd still go in for the "kill" (not really trying to kill, but that over-zealous tackle-bite. I'd separate him, give him a few minutes to get himself under control and he'd go back to playing nice. While driving home from the store yesterday, it occurred to me what he was doing:
His prey drive had kicked in. *smacks forehead*
He has a high prey drive; we've been working with him to get him to at least tolerate our cat's presence without chasing her. Everything at the park would be fine until he was doing the chasing, then there would be a rumble. Big dog, small dog, doesn't matter...he gets overexcited and treats the dog like prey.
Well, now that I have identified the issue, I can work on it. He will be muzzled at the dog park while I try to figure out how to distract him and get him out of that headspace. He may grow out of it, or learn how to control his own reactions. He may not...but now that I know what it is and can thwart any problems from his end, he can still play and socialize.
Of course, being muzzled means he can't defend himself if another dog attack HIM, but I won't let that happen. I've waded into a rumble and pulled him out of it, been bitten by another dog for my trouble. But I consider it part of being a responsible dog owner of any breed, but even more so of a bully breed. I have to be MORE responsible and proactive because even owners of Rottweilers or Dobermans and other "scary" breeds will fault the pit bull. It's all part of owning one of the most maligned and misunderstood dog breeds. And since Joker really is a good boy, a friendly dog and loves to play, I'm not going to deny him the opportunity to play and socialize...I'll just be able to keep him from being a dumbass.
Some pit bull owners say that dog parks are bad places for pits. I disagree, preferring to allow each dog to make that decision. Navarre was not a dog park dog, so we never went except with Holly and then only if no one else was there. I knew my dog and his issues and didn't put him in situations where there could be trouble. Joker's personality is the exact opposite of Navarre's. He's overly friendly where Navarre was standoffish. They expressed their insecurities differently: Joker is a licker, always looking to reinforce that you like him. Navarre either got aggressive or cowered behind me. Joker likes other dogs, and wants to play with them; Navarre wasn't dog-friendly except for a very select group.
So, I take Joker to the dog park. Harley loves to play on the agility equipment (who knew? I thought it would be Joker who'd be more interested in an activity like that), and will run around with the other dogs until there's a tackle and then she backs off. Joker plays with anybody. And that's where the problem started. He was fine if a wrestling match started from a standing position. He was fine when he was being chased. The problem started when he was part of the pack chasing another dog. When the tackle finally happened, Joker would go after the dog when it was down.
I'd watch carefully to identify if his body language changed, but it didn't. There was no aggression, excitement, but not aggression. It didn't matter if the chasee was a smaller or larger dog, he'd still go in for the "kill" (not really trying to kill, but that over-zealous tackle-bite. I'd separate him, give him a few minutes to get himself under control and he'd go back to playing nice. While driving home from the store yesterday, it occurred to me what he was doing:
His prey drive had kicked in. *smacks forehead*
He has a high prey drive; we've been working with him to get him to at least tolerate our cat's presence without chasing her. Everything at the park would be fine until he was doing the chasing, then there would be a rumble. Big dog, small dog, doesn't matter...he gets overexcited and treats the dog like prey.
Well, now that I have identified the issue, I can work on it. He will be muzzled at the dog park while I try to figure out how to distract him and get him out of that headspace. He may grow out of it, or learn how to control his own reactions. He may not...but now that I know what it is and can thwart any problems from his end, he can still play and socialize.
Of course, being muzzled means he can't defend himself if another dog attack HIM, but I won't let that happen. I've waded into a rumble and pulled him out of it, been bitten by another dog for my trouble. But I consider it part of being a responsible dog owner of any breed, but even more so of a bully breed. I have to be MORE responsible and proactive because even owners of Rottweilers or Dobermans and other "scary" breeds will fault the pit bull. It's all part of owning one of the most maligned and misunderstood dog breeds. And since Joker really is a good boy, a friendly dog and loves to play, I'm not going to deny him the opportunity to play and socialize...I'll just be able to keep him from being a dumbass.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-18 03:41 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-18 04:39 pm (UTC)We go to the park, Joker gets muzzled and immediately a Great Dane starts harassing him. I separate them and go to the agility course and the damned Dane doesn't leave him alone. Everywhere we go, the Dane is jumping and humping and just driving poor Joker nuts, and he can't do anything about it. Then, I have Joker at my feet and the Dane starts going after Harley, which just kickstarts Joker's protective streak.
Cockblocked at every turn. We didn't even stay for 30 minutes.
People are assholes.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-18 06:31 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-18 03:45 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-18 09:02 pm (UTC)Yes, people in general are louts, idiots, and clueless fucktards. And yet, their dogs still love them!